Seizure in Non-HIV Cryptococcal Meningitis
Somsak Tiamkao MD*, Kittisak Sawanyawisuth MD*, Verajit Chotmongkol MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen
Objective : The authors studied the prevalence of seizure in non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis.
Materials and Methods : The records of non-HIV adult patients (age > 15 years) diagnosed as cryptococcal
meningitis in Srinagarind Hospital (Khon Kaen University) from 1990 to 1994 were reviewed. All subjects
were studied for the rate, pattern, and long-term result of seizure.
Results : There were 105 cases. Eight patients (7.6%) had seizures at initial presentation. The pattern of
seizure of six patients was generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTC) and the others were focal seizure. Only one
case still had seizures after treatment with conventional therapy of cryptococcal meningitis. At ten years
follow up, ten cases had died, one patient still had seizures (the same case that had seizures after treatment)
and one case with developed GTC after improvement of meningitis.
Conclusion : GTC was the common pattern of seizure in non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis and mostly con-
trolled by standard regimen of therapy for cryptococcal meningitis without any antiepileptic drugs.
Keywords : Seizure, Non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis
